rushing

Rushing is the act of moving quickly or hurrying. As a verb, it can describe a rapid motion or urgent action: someone rushing to finish a task, or a crowd rushing toward an exit. As a noun, a rush can refer to a sudden surge or impulse, such as a rush of wind, a rush of adrenaline, or a rush of activity. In everyday language, phrases such as rush hour and rush jobs reflect the association with speed and urgency.

In sports, rushing relates to advancing the ball by ground plays. In American football, a rushing play is where a player runs with the ball rather than passing; statistics include rushing yards, attempts, and rushing touchdowns. The term can also describe a quarterback's rushing, i.e., when the quarterback gains yards by running. In other sports, a fast break or quick transition into offense is sometimes described as a rush.

In the context of college life, "to rush" (or "rushing") refers to the recruitment process for fraternities and sororities. The period, often called rush week, involves events or meetings through which chapters meet potential new members. Policies and practices vary, and because hazing and coercion have caused concern, many institutions regulate recruitment and emphasize consent and safety.

Other uses include expedited processes such as rush orders to accelerate production and delivery, and in electrical engineering, a rush or inrush current is a surge of current when equipment is first energized. The term also appears in everyday phrases like an adrenaline rush, a brief surge of excitement or fear.